Robbie Slater: Graham Arnold has a number of headaches ahead of the Socceroos’ World Cup campaign

A move to a new club hasn’t gone as planned for Socceroos keeper Mat Ryan. Now Graham Arnold now has a tough choice to make, writes Robbie Slater.

Socceroos coach Graham Arnold has plenty of thinking to do, five weeks out from the World Cup.

The plight of three key Socceroos ­– captain Mat Ryan and playmakers Tom Rogic and Aaron Mooy – is a cause for concern ahead of a World Cup now only five weeks away.

The Socceroos need as much as possible going their way ahead of Qatar 2022 and, at the moment, national coach Graham Arnold has some headaches he could do without.

Arnold’s biggest worry is goalkeeper Ryan’s situation.

With Arnold wanting his players to be regular members of their club’s first-team, Ryan made the move in August from Spanish outfit Real Sociedad, where he was the second-choice gloveman, to Danish side FC Copenhagen.

Socceroos coach Graham Arnold has plenty of thinking to do, five weeks out from the World Cup.

Things started out well for Ryan at his new club, where he was playing not only in the Danish league but also the UEFA Champions League.

However, the recent return from injury of Copenhagen’s previous keeper, Polish gloveman Kamil Grabara, has thrown a spanner in the works.

Ryan is back on the bench in what seems a hostile environment if Grabara’s comments regarding the Aussie custodian are anything to go by.

There’s now the real chance that Ryan won’t play any further club football between now and the World Cup.

Could Arnie opt for Mitch Langerak instead of Mat Ryan? Picture: Getty Images

The re-emergence of another Aussie keeper, Mitch Langerak, adds to Ryan’s predicament at Socceroos level.

Out of international retirement and the undoubted first-choice gloveman at his Japanese club Nagoya Grampus, Langerak could easily slot into Ryan’s role at the World Cup.

If Ryan can’t win his place back in his club side in the next month, then Arnold must decide if it’s worth the risk starting him in Qatar.

I think it is but Langerak’s presence is sure to put pressure on the Socceroos skipper.

Further up the field, Rogic has been playing again since his move to English Championship club West Bromwich Albion.

How will a change of manager at West Brom impact Tom Rogic? Picture: West Bromwich Albion FC/Getty Images

However, this week’s sacking of West Brom coach Steve Bruce will have Rogic hopeful that whoever takes over will continue to back him at the selection table to ensure he’s fit and firing for the World Cup.

It would be nice to see Mooy get some more game time at Celtic.

Under the guidance Ange Postecoglou, Mooy has barely started a game for the Hoops this season.

Yes, he is getting regular minutes off the bench, but we want Mooy as fit and sharp as possible in Qatar.

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Originally published as Robbie Slater: Graham Arnold has a number of headaches ahead of the Socceroos’ World Cup campaign